Thursday 31 October 2019

NFCC Sunday Club Ride 3rd November 2019

NFCC Sunday Club Ride 3rd November 2019
Meet at main car park in Brookley Rd, Brockenhurst (Opposite the Tesco Express) 8.50 a.m for a 9.00 a.m start.
We leave the tranquil Bronze age hamlet of Brockenhurst via Rhinefield drive to the A35. Interestingly many of Brockenhursts original inhabitants still live, work and hold driving licenses today. Turn left on the A35 and then take care when making the right turn up Lyndhurst rd towards Burley. We avoid reaching the fleshpots of Burley by taking a right onto Forest road and then Moortown lane. Follow this road until we arrive at Charles's lane and proceed to Ringwood Rd where we head south. Next we turn right onto Harpway lane, then east along Bockhampton and Harrow Rd. Then head north on one of the many imaginatively titled 'Forest rds' before joining the all too familiar Burley and Pound lane. From the witchcraft nicky-nacky shops of Burley it's back to The Terrace at Brockenhurst for a hard earned toasted tea-cake, served occasionally with Jam but always to the person who ordered cake.
Forecast is only about 6 on the meh-gauge so hopefully another well attended week. Route downloadable here

Club Ride – Saturday 2nd November - CANCELLED


Looking at the forecast for 70MPH+ winds I think it's better that we just cancel Saturdays ride. Risk of falling trees / debris on the trails is looking high. So suggest that all join Sundays ride instead. Keep pace to the norm for Sundays and for those that want add a second loop after the planned ride
Barry

Friday 25 October 2019

Club Ride – Saturday 26th October



Unfortunately as predicted, the weather forecast necessitates calling off this weeks ride due to the high winds. This makes peloton style riding too risky so with regret no ride this Saturday.
The rain forecast doesn’t look too good either so suggest for those that feel brave / have nothing better to do / aren’t bothered with the rugby plan B is to meet as usual with off road bikes and make a plan in the morning depending on who turns up.
So, for those inclined that would be meet at 0850 for 0900 depart from the main car park in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst and agree plan. 
Barry

Thursday 24 October 2019

Sunday Club Ride 27th October 2019

Meet as usual at the main car park in Brookley Rd, Brockenhurst 8.50 a.m for a 9.00 a.m start.
This weeks route meanders along the familiar terrain of Rhinefield Rd before crossing the A35 to begin the ascent of Col de Bolderwood. We then take a right turn downhill towards Emery Down passing the 'Portuguese fireplace', a Tourist attraction only rivalled as a 'Honey-pot spectacular by the forests own Rufus Stone and the hanging gardens of Babylon.
At Emery Down we turn left before taking a right towards Minstead, then left again to the A337. We cross over to Beechwood rd and pass through Bartley, At the heart of Bartley we turn right by "The Tin Church" through Woodlands then right to Ashurst. From here we turn left onto the A35 before taking the right turn down Deerlepe lane to Ipley Cross. In addition to being a notorious cycling black-spot Ipley Cross is one of the best areas in the New forest to observe Black Darter and Common Emerald dragonflies. From here we head towards and by-pass the hotbed of feudalism that is Beaulieu before returning to Brock via Hatchet pond,
I am home from my latest trip so if either of my bikes is in working order hope to make the start this weekend., the current forecast is cold but pleasant so I hope to see a good turnout.
download the route here.

Friday 18 October 2019

NFCC Sunday Club Ride. 20th October 2019


Meet at main car park in Brookley Rd, Brockenhurst (Opposite the Tesco Express) 8.50 a.m for a 9.00 a.m start.
We leave via Rhinefield Ornamental drive passing the Blackwater Arboretum with it's magnificent Douglas Firs, impressive redwoods and dogging hot spots. At the A35 we turn left before taking the first right towards Burley.
Burley has a unique and quirky character with witchcraft playing a large role within the village history. During the late 1950’s Sybil Leek a famous ‘white’ witch lived in the village and was often seen walking around in her long black cloak with her pet jackdaw sitting on her shoulder. With the locals upset by her presence, Sybil moved to America where she continued studying and writing about the occult and astrology.
Despite first ostracising and then forcing poor old Sybill to emigrate, the stout yeomen of Burley have felt it fine ever since to capitalise on her notoriety. Witchcraft nicky-nacky shops populate the high street and Sybil, you won't be surprised to hear, never got a penny.
Before reaching the fleshpots of Burley we take a right onto Forest road and then onto Moortown lane. Follow this road until we arrive at Charles's lane and proceed to Ringwood Rd where we head south. Next we turn right onto Harpway lane, then east along Bockhampton and Harrow Rd. Then head north on one of the many imaginatively titled 'Forest rds' before joining the familiar Burley and Pound lane. From that place Burley again it's back to Brock via the spirit-crushing hill at Wilverley to complete the 49K-ish route.
Sadly I have an urgent appointment in Paris with some fine wines this weekend so can't make it.
Forecast is o.k (well better than last week) so hopefully another good turnout. Route downloadable here

Club Ride – Saturday 19th October



After last weeks ride aptly described as a club swim by Phil H it looks like chance for a dry ride and a decent autumn day.
Usual meet at 0850 for an 0900 depart from the main car park in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst.
Out via Balmer Lawn to Hatchet Pond and Beaulieu. Up to Hill Top and a loop around Exbury, Lepe, Calshot and then back to Hill Top. Another loop around Dibden Purlieu, Applemore and back to Beaulieu. Then the usually quiet and current full of cattle roads of East Boldre, East End and back through Lymington to the coffee stop at Mabel’s in Boldre. Return to Brock via Sway for a total of 85Km.
Continuing to take the pace of the rides as we get into winter pace.
Barry

Friday 11 October 2019

NFCC Sunday Club ride. 13th September 2019


Meet as usual in the car park on Brookley Rd at 8.50 for a 9.00 A.M start.
The plan this week is to head out via The Balmer Lawn hotel east onto the Beaulieu Rd. It's all too easy to ignore the fascinating history of this building, including the many celebrities who have stayed here including George V, Dwight D Eisenhower, Winston Churchill and even Jeremy Clarkson. During the First World War the hotel was commandeered as a field hospital. Some members of the NFCC committee still remember injured soldiers being wheeled on luggage trolleys from Brockenhurst railway station to the hotel (sorry). Anyway after reaching the pure
virgin spring waters of Hatchet pond we turn south to pass through East Boldre. Then east of Norleywood through St Leonards before returning north to the safety of the main rd. We pass up through Beaulieu via Palace lane before turning right onto Exbury lane and towards Lepe, from here through Langley and Blackfield before heading back towards Beaulieu along Rollestone Rd. We return as so often praying for a little assistance from the wind-gods along the Beaulieu rd.
Best not to look in detail at the forecast for this weekends ride. Hope to see another great turnout.
Course downloadable here

Phil

Club Ride – Saturday 12th October



Forecast for Saturday not looking good so have kept a route that can be cut short if it’s too unpleasant. Usual meet at 0850 for an 0900 depart from the main car park in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst.
Out via Rhinefield, Bolderwood, Red Shoot and onto Fordingbridge. Assuming weather is OK loop up to Whitsbury and back via Sandleheath and Alderholt. Then through Poulner, Braggers and coffee stop at the Cider Pantry in Burley. Back via Wilverley to Brock for around 82Km.
Winter pace, get those mudguards and winter tyres fitted if you haven’t already and please have at least a rear light as visibility might not be too great.
Hope to see a good turn out of hardy riders.
Barry